Vicor’s new mil/aero bus converter halves size and weight

Operating from the typical 270VDC (230-330VDC) MIL-STD-704E/F power rail, the new converter uses Vicor's proprietary Sine Amplitude Converter™ (SAC™) topology to deliver isolated power to a nominal 45 V rail at more than 96% efficiency, and more than 800 W/in3 power density, with low profile of less than 7 mm, and weight of just 14.5 g.

Systems using the MBCM-series bus converters with downstream PRM™ Regulators and VTM™ Current Multipliers to drive pulsed power (e.g. radar) loads, radio and satellite communications, computing processors/ASICs and memory, have a 60% smaller footprint, 3% higher efficiency and enable complete powertrain systems which are 66% lighter than previous best-in-class solutions.

“Power-to-weight is a key metric for any mobile application – whether it’s air-, sea- or land-based – and here, the MBCM270 has a 4x advantage. It’s all about providing the system designer with small, efficient, lightweight systems with the right power to drive the end application”, says Stephen Oliver, V.P. of V.I Chip Marketing & Sales.

“That 3% efficiency improvement over previous best-in-class translates into half the power loss, which means half the fans, heatsinks, coldplates, etc.,” Oliver continues, “and the MHz switching frequency means smaller, lighter filters too – saving a lot of excess weight and size. Once again, Vicor can say ‘We’ve got your back’ when it comes to meeting the needs in the defence electronics market for easier, more reliable power design.”

The 45/48 Vout MBCM270F450M270A00 and its partner 28/33Vout MBCM270F338M235A00 bus converters are available now in SMT (Surface Mount Technology), through-hole and thermally-enhanced VI BRICK™ package versions.